Spurrier, two thumbs up.

Spurrier rates Tiger duo highly
USC coach says Davis, Spiller are nation’s top rushers
By JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com

Arkansas tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones have run for more yards, but USC coach Steve Spurrier called the Clemson duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller the nation’s top rushing tandem.

Davis, a sophomore from Atlanta, leads the ACC in rushing with 1,115 yards; Spiller, a freshman from Florida, is fifth with 759. Both average more than six yards a carry and have the Tigers ranked fifth nationally in rushing offense.

“They’ve got that No. 28 (Spiller) that’s hard to contain,” Spurrier said. “Spiller’s a player, along with Davis. They’re the best running backs in the country on the same team.”

Davis rushed for 145 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown with a 2-yard, fourth-quarter run last year to lift the Tigers to a 13-9 victory against USC in Columbia. That was before Spiller arrived on campus.

“Obviously, for us to have a chance, we’ve got to contain those guys somewhat,” Spurrier said.